Multi-speed transmission

ABSTRACT

A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, at least four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and a brake actuatable in combinations of three to establish a plurality of forward gear ratios and at least one reverse gear ratio.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/722,480 filed Nov. 5, 2012. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The invention relates generally to a multiple speed transmission, and more particularly, to a transmission having a plurality speeds, four planetary gear sets and a plurality of torque transmitting devices.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may or may not constitute prior art.

A typical multiple speed transmission uses a combination of friction clutches, planetary gear arrangements and fixed interconnections to achieve a plurality of gear ratios. The number and physical arrangement of the planetary gear sets, generally, are dictated by packaging, cost and desired speed ratios.

While current transmissions achieve their intended purpose, the need for new and improved transmission configurations which exhibit improved performance, especially from the standpoints of efficiency, responsiveness and smoothness, and improved packaging, primarily reduced size and weight, is essentially constant. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved, cost-effective, compact multiple speed transmission.

SUMMARY

A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, at least four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may be, for example, clutches and a brake.

The clutches and brake can be of any type including but not limited to a fiction clutch, a friction band, a one way clutch, a selectable one way clutch, a dog clutch, a synchronizer and similar devices. Furthermore, any node can use a single device or a combination of these devices e.g. the brake may be configured as a dog clutch and a one way clutch combination or a one way clutch and friction clutch combination. Similarly, several other combinations are possible.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the transmission includes: first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets each having a sun gear, a carrier member and a ring gear, and the input member is continuously connected for common rotation with the carrier member of the third planetary gear set, and the output member is continuously connected for common rotation with the carrier member of the fourth planetary gear set.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the transmission includes a first interconnecting member that continuously interconnects the carrier member of the first planetary gear set with the sun gear of the second planetary gear set and the ring gear of the third planetary gear set.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the transmission includes a second interconnecting member that continuously interconnects the carrier member of the second planetary gear set with the carrier member of the fourth planetary gear set.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the transmission includes a third interconnecting member that continuously interconnects the sun gear of the third planetary gear set is permanently coupled to the sun gear of the fourth planetary gear set.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the transmission includes a grounding member for continuously interconnecting the sun gear of the first planetary gear set to a stationary member.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the transmission includes a first torque transmitting mechanism that is selectively engageable to interconnect the carrier member of the third planetary gear set and the input member with a common structural member.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the transmission includes a second torque transmitting mechanism that is selectively engageable to interconnect the ring gear of the second planetary gear set with the common structural member.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the transmission includes a third torque transmitting mechanism that is selectively engageable to interconnect the sun gear of the third planetary gear set and the sun gear of the fourth planetary gear set with the common structural member.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the transmission includes a fourth torque transmitting mechanism that is selectively engageable to interconnect the ring gear of the first planetary gear set with the common structural member.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the transmission includes a fifth torque transmitting mechanism that is selectively engageable to interconnect the ring gear of the first planetary gear set with the carrier member of the second planetary gear set, the carrier member of the fourth planetary gear set and the output member.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the transmission includes a sixth torque transmitting mechanism that is selectively engageable to interconnect the ring gear of the fourth planetary gear set with the stationary member.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish a plurality of forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.

Further features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by reference to the following description and appended drawings wherein like reference numbers refer to the same component, element or feature.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1 is a lever diagram of an embodiment of a transmission according to the principles of present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of a variation of the transmission of FIG. 1 according to the principles of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a truth table presenting an example of a state of engagement of various torque transmitting elements to produce multiple forward and at least one reverse speed or gear ratios of the transmissions illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.

At the outset, it should be appreciated that the embodiments of the multi-speed automatic transmission of the present invention have an arrangement of permanent mechanical connections between the elements of the four planetary gear sets. As used herein, coupling or interconnection refers to a direct, continuous, and permanent coupling or interconnection, for example by a rigid member or shaft, between elements. Selective coupling or interconnection, on the other hand, refers to a selective coupling by a clutch or brake, where the clutch or brake can be engaged and disengaged, such that when engaged, the selectively coupled or interconnected elements rotate together, but when disengaged, the selectively coupled or interconnected elements are free to rotate independently.

In one embodiment, a second component or element of the first planetary gear set is permanently coupled to a third component or element of the second planetary gear set and a third component or element of the third planetary gear set. A second component or element of the second planetary gear set is permanently coupled to a second component or element of the fourth planetary gear set. A first component or element of the third planetary gear set is permanently coupled to a first component or element of the fourth planetary gear set.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a multi-speed transmission 10 is illustrated in a lever diagram format. A lever diagram is a schematic representation of the components of a mechanical device such as an automatic transmission. Each individual lever represents a planetary gear set wherein the three basic mechanical components of the planetary gear are each represented by a node. Therefore, a single lever contains three nodes: one for the sun gear, one for the planet gear carrier, and one for the ring gear. The relative length between the nodes of each lever can be used to represent the ring-to-sun ratio of each respective gear set. These lever ratios, in turn, are used to vary the gear ratios of the transmission in order to achieve an appropriate ratios and ratio progression. Mechanical couplings or interconnections between the nodes of the various planetary gear sets are illustrated by thin, horizontal lines, and torque transmitting devices such as clutches and brakes are presented as interleaved fingers. Further explanation of the format, purpose and use of lever diagrams can be found in SAE Paper 810102, “The Lever Analogy: A New Tool in Transmission Analysis” by Benford and Leising which is hereby fully incorporated by reference.

The transmission 10 includes an input shaft or member 12, a first planetary gear set 14, a second planetary gear set 16, a third planetary gear set 18, a fourth planetary gear set 20, and an output shaft or member 22. In the lever diagram of FIG. 1, the first planetary gear set 14 has three nodes: a first node 14A, a second node 14B, and a third node 14C. The second planetary gear set 16 has three nodes: a first node 16A, a second node 16B and a third node 16C. The third planetary gear set 18 has three nodes: a first node 18A, a second node 18B and a third node 18C. The fourth planetary gear set 20 has three nodes: a first node 20A, a second node 20B and a third node 20C. The input member 12 is continuously coupled to the second node 18B of the third planetary gear set 18. The output member 22 is continuously coupled to the second node 20B of the fourth planetary gear set 20.

The second node 14B of the first planetary gear set 14 is coupled to the third node 16C of the second planetary gear set 16 and to the third node 18C of the third planetary gear set 18. The third node 14C of the first planetary gear set 14 is coupled to a stationary member or a transmission housing 50. The second node 16B of the second planetary gear set 16 is coupled to the second node 20B of the fourth planetary gear set 20. The first node 18A of the third planetary gear set 18 is coupled to the first node 20A of the fourth planetary gear set 20.

Transmission 10 has a plurality of torque transmitting mechanisms, such as clutches and brakes, which transfer torque from one node or element of the planetary gear sets to another. Moreover, transmission 10 includes a common node J. Common node J is a structural member that interconnects a number of the torque transmitting mechanisms, as described hereinafter.

For example, a first clutch 24 selectively connects the second node 18B of the third planetary gear set 18 with the common node J. A second clutch 26 selectively connects the first node 16A of the second planetary gear set 16 with the common node J. A third clutch 28 selectively connects the first node 18A of the third planetary gear set 18 and the first node 20A of the fourth planetary gear set 20 with the common node J. A fourth clutch 30 selectively connects the first node 14A of the first planetary gear set 14 with the common node J. A fifth clutch 32 selectively connects the second node 16B of the second planetary gear set 16 and the second node 20B of the fourth planetary gear set 20 with the first node 14A of the first planetary gear set 14. A brake 34 selectively connects the third node 20C of the fourth planetary gear set 20 with the stationary member or transmission housing 50.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a stick diagram presents a schematic layout of an embodiment of the multi-speed transmission 10 according to one form of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the numbering from the lever diagram of FIG. 1 is carried over. The clutches and couplings are correspondingly presented whereas the nodes of the planetary gear sets now appear as components of planetary gear sets such as sun gears, ring gears, planet gears and planet gear carriers.

For example, the first planetary gear set 14 includes a sun gear member 14C, a ring gear member 14A and a planet gear carrier member 14B that rotatably supports a set of planet gears 14D (only one of which is shown). The sun gear member 14C is connected with a first shaft or interconnecting member 42. The first shaft or interconnecting member 42 fixedly connects sun gear member 14C to the transmission housing 50. The ring gear member 14A is connected for common rotation with a second shaft or interconnecting member 44. The planet carrier member 14B is connected for common rotation with third shaft or interconnecting member 46 and a fourth shaft or interconnecting member 48. The set of planet gears 14D are each configured to intermesh with both the sun gear member 14A and the ring gear member 14C.

The second planetary gear set 16 includes a sun gear member 16C, a ring gear member 16A and a planet gear carrier member 16B that rotatably supports a set of planetary gears 16D (only one of each is shown). The sun gear member 16C is connected for common rotation with the fourth shaft or interconnecting member 48. The ring gear member 16A is connected directly to the second clutch 26. The planet carrier member 16B is connected for common rotation with a fifth shaft or interconnecting member 52 and the sixth shaft or interconnecting member 54. The planet gears 16D are each configured to intermesh with both the ring gear member 16A and the sun gear member 16C.

The third planetary gear set 18 includes a sun gear member 18A, a ring gear member 18C and a planet gear carrier member 18B that rotatably supports a set of planet gears 18D (only one of which is shown). The sun gear member 18A is connected for common rotation with a seventh shaft or interconnecting member 56. The ring gear member 18C is connected for common rotation with the third shaft or interconnecting member 46. The planet carrier member 18B is connected for common rotation with the input shaft or member 12 and an eighth shaft or interconnecting member 58. The planet gears 18D are each configured to intermesh with both the sun gear member 18A and the ring gear member 18C.

The fourth planetary gear set 20 includes a sun gear member 20A, a ring gear member 20C and a planet gear carrier member 20B that rotatably supports a set of planet gears 20D (only one of which is shown). The sun gear member 20A is connected for common rotation with a seventh shaft or interconnecting member 56. The ring gear member 20C is connected directly to the brake 34. The planetary gear carrier member 20B is connected for common rotation with the output shaft or member 22 and with the fifth shaft or interconnecting member 52. The planet gears 20D are each configured to intermesh with both the sun gear member 20A and the ring gear member 20C.

The input shaft or member 12 is continuously connected to an input source, such as an engine (not shown) or a turbine of a torque converter (not shown). The output shaft or member 22 is continuously connected with another output such as the final drive unit or transfer case (not shown).

The torque-transmitting mechanisms, including the first, second, third, fourth and fifth clutches 24, 26, 28, 30, 32 and the brake 34 allow for selective interconnection of the shafts or interconnecting members 42, 44, 46, 48, 52, 54, 56 and 58 of the planetary gear sets 14, 16, 18, 20 and the housing 50.

For example, the first clutch 24 is selectively engageable to connect the eighth shaft or interconnecting member 58 with the common member or hub J. The second clutch 26 is selectively engageable to connect the ring gear 16A of the second planetary gear set 16 with the common member or hub J. The third clutch 28 is selectively engageable to connect the seventh shaft or interconnecting member 56 with the common member or hub J. The fourth clutch 30 is selectively engageable to connect the second shaft or interconnecting member 44 with the common member or hub J. The fifth clutch 32 is selectively engageable to connect the second shaft or interconnecting member 44 with the sixth shaft or interconnecting member 54. The brake 34 is selectively engageable to connect the ring gear 20C of the fourth planetary gear set 20 with the stationary element or the transmission housing 50 in order to restrict the ring gear 20C from rotating relative to the transmission housing 50. In turn, the components of the planetary gear sets connected to each of the connecting members are also connected or restricted accordingly.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the operation of the multi-speed transmission 10 will be described. It will be appreciated that transmission 10 is capable of transmitting torque from the input shaft or member 12 to the output shaft or member 22 in multiple forward speed torque ratios and at least one reverse speed or torque ratio. Each forward and reverse speed or torque ratio is attained by engagement of one or more of the torque-transmitting mechanisms (i.e. first clutch 24, second clutch 26, third clutch 28, fourth clutch 30, fifth clutch 32 and brake 34), as will be explained below.

FIG. 3 is a truth table presenting the various combinations of torque-transmitting mechanisms that are activated or engaged to achieve the various gear states. An “X” in the box means that the particular clutch or brake is engaged to achieve the desired gear state. Actual numerical gear ratios of the various gear states are also presented although it should be appreciated that these numerical values are exemplary only and that they may be adjusted over significant ranges to accommodate various applications and operational criteria of the transmission 10. Of course, other gear ratios are achievable depending on the gear diameter, gear teeth count and gear configuration selected.

For example, a reverse gear is established by engaging or activating the second clutch 26, the third clutch 28 and the brake 34. The second clutch 26 connects the ring gear 16A of the second planetary gear set 16 with the common member or hub J. The third clutch 28 connects the seventh shaft or interconnecting member 56 with the common member or hub J. The brake 34 connects the ring gear 20C of the fourth planetary gear set 20 with the stationary element or the transmission housing 50 in order to restrict the ring gear 20C from rotating relative to the transmission housing 50. Likewise, the eleven forward ratios are achieved through different combinations of clutch and brake engagement, as shown in FIG. 3, by way of example.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing explanation of operation and gear states of the multi-speed embodiment of transmission 10 assumes, first of all, that all the clutches not specifically referenced in a given gear state are inactive or disengaged and, second of all, that during gear shifts, i.e., changes of gear state, between at least adjacent gear states, a clutch engaged or activated in both gear states will remain engaged or activated. Further, the operation and establishment of various gear ratios of transmission 10 are for example provided by the engagement of the torque transmitting elements, as shown in FIG. 3.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A transmission comprising: an input member; an output member; first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets each having first, second and third members, and wherein the input member is continuously connected for common rotation with one of the first, second, and third members of one of the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets; three interconnecting members continuously interconnecting a member of the first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets with a member of another of first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets; a grounding member for continuously interconnecting at least one of the members of the planetary gear sets to a stationary member; and six torque transmitting mechanisms wherein four of the six torque transmitting mechanisms are each selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the first, second and third members of one of the planetary gear sets with a common member, another one of the six torque transmitting mechanisms are each selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the first, second and third members of one of the planetary gear sets with another of the first, second and third members of another of the planetary gear sets, and wherein yet another one of the six torque transmitting mechanisms are each selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the first, second and third members of one of the planetary gear sets with the stationary member, and wherein the six torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish a plurality of forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.
 2. The transmission of claim 1 wherein the three interconnecting members includes a first of the three interconnecting member continuously interconnecting a second member of the first planetary gear set with a third member of the second planetary gear set and a third member of the third planetary gear set, a second of the three interconnecting member continuously interconnecting a second member of the second planetary gear set with a second member of the fourth planetary gear set and a third of the three interconnecting member continuously interconnecting a first member of the third planetary gear set is permanently coupled to a first member of the fourth planetary gear set.
 3. The transmission of claim 1 wherein the grounding member interconnects the third member of the first planetary gear set to the stationary member.
 4. The transmission of claim 1 wherein a first of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the third planetary gear set with the common member.
 5. The transmission of claim 4 wherein a second of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the second planetary gear set with the common member.
 6. The transmission of claim 5 wherein a third of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the third planetary gear set and the first member of the fourth planetary gear set with the common member.
 7. The transmission of claim 6 wherein a fourth of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the first planetary gear set with the common member.
 8. The transmission of claim 7 wherein a fifth of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the first planetary gear set with the second member of the second planetary gear set.
 9. The transmission of claim 8 wherein a sixth of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the third member of the fourth planetary gear set with the stationary member.
 10. The transmission of claim 1 wherein the input member is continuously connected for common rotation with the second member of the third planetary gear set and the output member is continuously connected for common rotation with the second member of the fourth planetary gear set.
 11. The transmission of claim 1 wherein the third member of the first planetary gear set, the third member of the second planetary gear set, the first member of the third planetary gear set and the first member of the fourth planetary gear set are sun gears, the second members of the first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets are carrier members and the first member of the first planetary gear set, the first member of the second planetary gear set, the third member of the third planetary gear set and the third member of the fourth planetary gear set are ring gears.
 12. A transmission comprising: an input member; an output member; first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets each having first, second and third members, and wherein the input member is continuously connected for common rotation with one of the first, second, and third members of one of the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets; a first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting a second member of the first planetary gear set with a third member of the second planetary gear set and a third member of the third planetary gear set; a second interconnecting member continuously interconnecting a second member of the second planetary gear set with a second member of the fourth planetary gear set; a grounding member for continuously interconnecting at least one of the members of the planetary gear sets to a stationary member; a third interconnecting member continuously interconnecting a first member of the third planetary gear set is permanently coupled to a first member of the fourth planetary gear set; and six torque transmitting mechanisms each selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the first, second, and third members of one of the planetary gear sets with at least one other of the first, second, third members of another one of the planetary gear sets, a common member, or the stationary member, and wherein the six torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish a plurality of forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.
 13. The transmission of claim 12 wherein a first of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the third planetary gear set with the common member.
 14. The transmission of claim 13 wherein a second of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the second planetary gear set with the common member.
 15. The transmission of claim 14 wherein a third of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the third planetary gear set and the first member of the fourth planetary gear set with the common member.
 16. The transmission of claim 15 wherein a fourth of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the first planetary gear set with the common member.
 17. The transmission of claim 16 wherein a fifth of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the first planetary gear set with the second member of the second planetary gear set.
 18. The transmission of claim 17 wherein a sixth of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the third member of the fourth planetary gear set with the stationary member.
 19. The transmission of claim 12 wherein the grounding member interconnects the third member of the first planetary gear set to the stationary member.
 20. The transmission of claim 12 wherein the input member is continuously connected for common rotation with the second member of the third planetary gear set and the output member is continuously connected for common rotation with the second member of the fourth planetary gear set.
 21. The transmission of claim 12 wherein the third member of the first planetary gear set, the third member of the second planetary gear set, the first member of the third planetary gear set and the first member of the fourth planetary gear set are sun gears, the second members of the first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets are carrier members and the first member of the first planetary gear set, the first member of the second planetary gear set, the third member of the third planetary gear set and the third member of the fourth planetary gear set are ring gears.
 22. A transmission comprising: an input member; an output member; first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets each having a sun gear, a carrier member and a ring gear, wherein the input member is continuously connected for common rotation with the carrier member of the third planetary gear set, and wherein the output member is continuously connected for common rotation with the carrier member of the fourth planetary gear set; a first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the carrier member of the first planetary gear set with the sun gear of the second planetary gear set and the ring gear of the third planetary gear set; a second interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the carrier member of the second planetary gear set with the carrier member of the fourth planetary gear set; a third interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the sun gear of the third planetary gear set is permanently coupled to the sun gear of the fourth planetary gear set; a grounding member for continuously interconnecting the sun gear of the first planetary gear set to a stationary member; a first torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the carrier member of the third planetary gear set and the input member with a common member; a second torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the ring gear of the second planetary gear set with the common member; a third torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the sun gear of the third planetary gear set and the sun gear of the fourth planetary gear set with the common member; a fourth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the ring gear of the first planetary gear set with the common member; a fifth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the ring gear of the first planetary gear set with the carrier member of the second planetary gear set, the carrier member of the fourth planetary gear set and the output member; and a sixth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the ring gear of the fourth planetary gear set with the stationary member, and wherein the torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish a plurality of forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member. 